Vaassen Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic

Vaassen Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic Our Mission is to provide well-being to the families we serve by following the natural path to healing with uniquely individualized and professional care.

Our Mission at Vaassen Chiropractic & Acupuncture is to provide well-being to the families we serve by providing the most uniquely individualized and professional care available. We aim for our patients to follow the natural path to optimal health through the benefits of chiropractic, acupuncture, and nutrition. Dr. Amy Vaassen specializes in chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, low level laser, and EB cellular cleanse therapy.

04/27/2026

FACT of the Week:
Acupuncture is a safe, drug-free therapy that can provide significant relief for both acute and chronic neck pain. Research indicates it is more effective than sham treatments or waiting lists for short-term pain relief.
Core Physical Benefits
Pain Reduction: Stimulates the nervous system to release endorphins and other natural "feel-good" chemicals that act as painkillers.
Decreased Muscle Tension: Helps relax tight muscles, release "knots" (myofascial trigger points), and ease stiffness.
Improved Circulation: Enhances blood flow to the affected area, delivering oxygen and nutrients that facilitate faster healing of damaged tissues.
Reduced Inflammation: Triggers the release of anti-inflammatory substances that help lower swelling and discomfort in soft tissues
Enhanced Mobility: Many patients experience an immediate increase in their neck's range of motion after just a few sessions.

04/20/2026

FACT of the Week:
Baby chiropractors provide gentle, specialized care to improve spinal alignment, which can lead to better sleep, improved digestion, reduced colic symptoms, and enhanced immune system function. These, safe, light-pressure adjustments often correct musculoskeletal tensions caused by birth, aiding in improved breastfeeding, reduced torticollis, and better overall neurological development.
Key Benefits of Infant Chiropractic Care
Improved Sleep and Relaxation: Gentle adjustments help release tension in the body, allowing for better comfort, longer sleep stretches, and less irritability.
Reduced Colic and Digestive Issues: Techniques can stimulate the gastrointestinal system, reducing symptoms of colic, gas, reflux, and constipation
Easier Breastfeeding and Latching: Spinal adjustments, particularly in the neck and upper back, can help with structural issues that restrict a baby's ability to turn their head, reducing feeding difficulties.
Corrective Care for Birth Trauma: The physical stress of birth, whether natural or C-section, can cause misalignment (subluxation), which chiropractic care can correct to relieve nerve tension.
Support for Torticollis: Specialized care can help treat congenital torticollis by releasing tension in the neck muscles, encouraging proper posture and alignment.
Enhanced Immune System: A properly aligned spine supports a healthy nervous system, which may result in improved immune function and fewer common infections, such as earaches.
Support for Physical Development: As babies learn to lift their heads or sit, regular adjustments ensure that the spine aligns correctly during these critical developmental phases.

04/13/2026

FACT of the Week:
Yes, acupuncture can help manage allergy symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes by reducing inflammation and balancing the immune system. Studies indicate it can be an effective complementary treatment for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, often used alongside conventional medicine to provide lasting relief.
How Acupuncture Helps with Allergies:
Reduces Symptoms: Studies indicate it decreases nasal symptoms and improves the quality of life for allergy sufferers.
Immune Regulation: It acts on the immune system to inhibit the overproduction of antibodies (IgE) and reduce inflammation.
Biochemical Release:
Acupuncture stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like cortisol and endorphins, which can modulate the allergic response.
Reduces Medication Need: Some evidence suggests acupuncture may reduce the reliance on allergy medications.

04/06/2026

FACT of the Week:
Chiropractic treatment for sciatica, a non-invasive approach, aims to reduce nerve compression, relieve pain, and improve mobility through spinal adjustments, decompression therapy, and exercises. Key techniques like manual adjustments and flexion-distraction aim to correct misalignment, often reducing pain within 1–2 weeks.
Common Chiropractic Techniques for Sciatica:
Spinal Adjustments (Manipulation): A chiropractor uses precise, controlled forces to realign vertebrae, which reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduces inflammation.
Flexion-Distraction Technique
A specialized table is used to gently stretch the spine, which helps manage herniated or bulging discs and reduces nerve compression.
Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like trigger point therapy or myofascial release are used to reduce muscle tightness and spasms in the glutes or hips, which often contribute to sciatica.
Pelvic Blocking: Cushions are placed under the pelvis to correct misalignment and alleviate nerve pressure.
Rehabilitative Exercises: Specific stretches and strengthening exercises are assigned to improve mobility and support the lower back.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sciatica:
Natural Pain Relief: Reduces reliance on medication by addressing the root cause, such as a misaligned joint or disc.
Increased Mobility: Restores proper movement in the spine, improving flexibility.
Customized Care: Treatment plans are tailored to the individual's specific cause of sciatica.

03/30/2026

FACT of the Week:
Acupuncture is considered an effective, low-risk, complementary therapy for reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, often outperforming no treatment or sham acupuncture. It is particularly useful for chronic pain, though some studies suggest it may provide only short-term, rather than long-term, relief.
Key Findings on Acupuncture for Knee Arthritis:
Effectiveness: Studies show acupuncture can reduce pain and improve physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.
Types: Electroacupuncture (using electric stimulation) may be more effective than traditional needle acupuncture, although both are useful.
Benefits:
It may help delay joint degeneration by protecting against cartilage breakdown
Combination Treatment: It is highly effective when combined with conventional treatments or physical therapies.
Duration: While it can provide immediate relief, some research indicates that the improvements for pain and physical function are most significant in the short term

03/23/2026

FACT of the Week:
Chiropractors help manage arthritis by reducing joint pain, increasing range of motion, and decreasing stiffness through spinal adjustments, mobilizations, and soft tissue therapies. They use a holistic approach, including exercise advice, lifestyle modifications, and hot/cold therapy to improve, rather than cure, arthritis-related joint function.
Key Arthritis Treatments by Chiropractors:
Spinal Adjustments & Mobilization: Gentle, controlled movements applied to joints to restore motion, improve function, and reduce stress on affected areas.
Joint Manipulation: Helps improve flexibility and reduce stiffness in the neck and back, particularly beneficial for osteoarthritis (OA).
Soft Tissue Therapy/Massage
Reduces muscle spasms, tension, and pain around stiff joints
Lifestyle & Exercise Recommendations: Guidance on exercises to increase strength and joint mobility, as well as nutritional advice for overall joint health and weight management to reduce pressure on weight-bearing joints.
Physical Rehabilitation & Modalities: Use of hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, or electrical muscle stimulation to manage pain and inflammation.

03/17/2026

FACT of the Week:
Acupuncture helps manage menopause by stimulating the nervous system to release endorphins, which regulate the hypothalamus (body thermostat) and balance hormones, effectively reducing hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia. It also alleviates anxiety, mood swings, and joint pain by promoting relaxation, improving sleep quality, and reducing inflammation.
Key ways acupuncture helps with menopause include:
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: By stimulating specific nerve pathways, acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins that stabilize the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, reducing the frequency and intensity of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes).
Sleep & Mood Regulation: Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting deeper sleep, which helps combat fatigue and mood swings
Hormonal & Physical Balance: It can improve estrogen receptor sensitivity and increase blood flow to the pelvic region, which helps with vaginal dryness and low libido.
Pain Relief: The technique acts as a natural pain reliever for muscle stiffness, joint pain, and headaches, common during this transition.

03/09/2026

FACT of the Week:
Infrared cold laser therapy (photobiomodulation) reduces inflammation by emitting non-thermal light energy that penetrates skin to stimulate mitochondria, increasing ATP production for faster cellular repair. It boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage to remove inflammatory byproducts, while reducing pro-inflammatory markers and releasing endorphins to alleviate pain.
Key Mechanisms for Reducing Inflammation:
Increased Cellular Energy (ATP): Light stimulation increases ATP production in mitochondria, fueling cells to repair damaged tissues and reducing inflammation, note the Gulf Shore Physical Therapy and Laser Therapy Cleveland.
Improved Circulation & Lymphatic Flow: The therapy increases blood flow to the area, delivering oxygen for healing, while accelerating lymphatic drainage to clear away swelling and fluids.

03/02/2026

FACT of the Week:
Chiropractic care helps sinus problems by using spinal adjustments, specifically in the neck (cervical spine), to remove nerve interference and improve immune system function, which reduces inflammation. Additionally, practitioners use manual, targeted, or "facial bone" adjustments to open restricted sinus passages, promoting natural drainage and relieving pressure and congestion.
How Chiropractic Helps Sinus Issues:
Improved Drainage: Techniques like massaging and applying firm pressure to the maxillary and frontal sinus areas (sometimes called "face shaking") help break up congestion and facilitate mucus drainage.
Reduced Inflammation & Pressure:
Adjustments to the cervical spine (especially C1-C2) can decrease sinus inflammation and tension headaches
Nervous System Optimization: By restoring proper spinal alignment, chiropractic care improves nerve communication, allowing the body to better regulate its immune response to allergies or infections.

02/23/2026

FACT of the Week:
Acupuncture and dry needling both use thin needles for pain relief but differ in philosophy, technique, and goals: Acupuncture stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), targeting energy (Qi) meridians for holistic balance; dry needling, a Western-based physical therapy, targets specific muscle trigger points for localized relief and improved function. Acupuncture addresses broader health issues by balancing energy, while dry needling focuses on musculoskeletal problems like muscle pain, sports injuries, and stiffness.

02/16/2026

FACT of the Week:
Chiropractic care for a herniated disc aims to relieve pain and improve function using non-surgical methods like spinal manipulation, decompression (flexion-distraction), and targeted exercises, creating space for the disc to heal by reducing nerve pressure and restoring spinal mechanics. Techniques focus on gentle adjustments, stretching the spine with specialized tables, and often incorporate therapies like cold laser or massage, aiming for natural healing and better spinal movement.
Common Chiropractic Techniques for Herniated Discs:
Spinal Manipulation/Adjustments:
Precise movements to realign vertebrae, relieve nerve compression, and improve joint function.
Spinal Decompression (Flexion-Distraction):
Uses a special table to gently stretch the spine, creating negative pressure to help the disc retract and receive nutrients.
Pelvic Blocking:
Using cushioned wedges to create mechanical changes in the pelvis, often with specific exercises.
Therapeutic Exercises & Stretches:
To strengthen supporting muscles and improve posture.
Other Therapies:
May include cold laser therapy, electrical stimulation, or massage to reduce inflammation and pain.
How it Works:
Chiropractors don't literally "push the disc back in" but create better spinal mechanics and space for the disc to heal naturally.
The goal is to relieve pressure on compressed nerves, reducing pain, tingling, or weakness.
Treatment plans are personalized and focus on non-invasive, drug-free relief, often combined with lifestyle changes. *Provide antioxidant activity

02/09/2026

FACT of the Week:
Boswellia Complex from Standard Process/MediHerb Benefits are :
Boswellia Complex contains Boswellia, Celery Seed, Ginger and Turmeric to support healthy joint function.*
These herbs have been traditionally used in herbal preparations to:Maintain and support healthy joints
*Support Healthy Circulation
*Support the normal function of kidneys
*Provide antioxidant activity

Address

3338 Center Grove Drive, Ste 2
Dubuque, IA
52003

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30am
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30am
Friday 8am - 12pm

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